LaMarcus Williams on a mission

Hired by coach Thomas Bachman as a CECP coach, Williams will attend graduate school at Grambling State University in the mornings and work with the Rams during the afternoon.

A three-year starter, Williams helped the Rams to back-to-back Class 4A state championships in 2005 and 2006, before signing with Mississippi State. Although his college career was cut short due to a back injury during his junior season, Williams didn't leave Starkville empty-handed. He graduated in May with a degree in interdisciplinary studies and a double minor in business management and kinesiology.

Williams will begin pursuing his masters in criminal justice in the fall.

While he doesn't intend to make a career out of coaching, Williams is intent on achieving his short-term goal of helping the Rams reclaim their past glory.

“I'm just trying to help out and get this thing to where it used to be,” Williams said. “I am trying to get them to realize that when I played we didn't just think we were going to win, we expected to win — and that's what we did.”

Five years ago, Williams never envisioned himself as a future coach.

“I never even though about coaching back then,” Williams admitted.

Now he finds himself coaching alongside one of his former coaches, Korea Davis, the Rams' longtime secondary coach and the staff's elder statesman.

“Coach Davis expects the same things from the players as I do,” Williams said. “I expect them to be disciplined, to be committed and to never quit. Football teaches you a lot about life.”

Williams says he hopes to make a difference in the players' lives off the field, as well.

“I'm excited about the opportunity to teach and mentor and to be sort of a guidance counselor,” Williams said. “I've had my eyes on doing this for a while.”

Bastrop took the field in pads for the first time Monday. Williams sees potential in his group of defensive tackles.

“I'm just trying to get them to be more consistent,” Williams said. “I'm trying to get them to understand the importance of doing their job every play.”

Williams says he has maintained contact with several of his former teammates, particularly defensive lineman Kentravis Aubrey and cornerback Rodney Anthony.

“I talk to Rodney every day at practice and I keep in touch with Aubrey pretty good,” Williams said. “I still talk to a lot of guys from the '05 team.”

At Bastrop, Williams was a two-time Class 4A All-State selection and a three-time All-District honoree. He was ranked as the No. 48 defensive tackle in the nation by Rivals.com and as the No. 22 overall prospect in the state by SuperPrep Magazine.